Vince Young: What Are the Philadelphia Eagles' Plans for Quarterback?

Firstly, congratulations to Andy Reid and the rest of his staff on a great offseason so far. I think Eagles fans all breathed a great sigh of relief as Philadelphia finally addressed the cornerback position. It does feel strange how the Eagles have improved their pass rush by adding a player they cut the year before, however Jason Babin is another solid addition.

The Philadelphia Eagles have also turned a few heads by signing former rookie of the year Vince Young to a one-year deal to replace Kevin Kolb as the backup quarterback. As we know, Young was ousted by the Tennessee Titans for his renowned immaturity and the former highly rated prospect will hope a spell in Philadelphia will have the same impact on his career as it did for Michael Vick.

Hopefully Young won't just sit back and just expect "The Michael Vick" effect to happen to him. Vick entered training camp determined to put his past behind him and repay the Eagles for the faith they showed and criticism they endured in bringing him to the franchise. A decision that worked so successfully that when Young's career nosedived to the point of release in Tennessee, Philadelphia was seen by many as a ideal choice for the former star.

Philadelphia: the promise land for quarterbacks with personal problems.

The move then came as no surprise, but what did surprise me is the reported length of the contract. The Eagles have reportedly signed Young to just a one year contract. I would have expected the two-year contract similar to the contract they gave Vick. If Young has to step in due to injury and does well, then the two-year contract would mean the Eagles would be able to use Young as trade bait for any potential suitors for a new rejuvenated quarterback. The one-year contract also shows that the Eagles don't expect Young to be a backup for the long term.

So what was the point? They could have brought in a more long-term backup quarterback, a veteran who would be satisfied backing up Vick on a longer basis. The one-year contract means the Eagles will only have to find a replacement for Young at the end of the year and train another quarterback to their system.

This move leads me to believe the Philadelphia Eagles will target a quarterback in the first couple of rounds of next year's draft.

Here's the logic: Vick is 31 years old, a similar age as Donovan McNabb was when the Eagles drafted Kolb. Reid likes to groom his future quarterback for a few years whilst his current star is still in his prime years.

It worked out well (if perhaps not how they originally planned) last time, and next year is supposed to be a deep draft class at the quarterback position. The Eagles drafted Kolb in the second round, they received a second-round pick as part of his trade to Arizona and I wouldn't be surprised if they used that pick on their next quarterback project.

Reid is one of the best coaches when it comes to keeping his team dangerous over a long period of time. Almost no one is left from the team that lost to the New England Patriots at the Super Bowl final, but the transition to the Super Bowl-calibre team (or at least close to it) that they are now was almost painless.

Young is a one-year plug-in. The Eagles are a very young team and will only get stronger in the next couple of years. It may be time to draft a quarterback to be there and to be prepared as these young stars hit their prime.